A couple of questions about next steps and other things.

[Ycats 24]

AOS Application

 

07/31/2018 - AOS packet sent via Express mail (1-130, I-485, I-131, I-765) 
08/02/2018 - Delivered to USCIS Chicago (According to USPS)

08/09/2018 - Received Phone and Email Notice that USCIS Received the package

08/13/2018 - NOA1 Hard copies received by mail and checks were cashed

08/17/2018 - Letter with Biometrics Appointment Received (Date 8/28/2018)

08/28/2018 - Walk-in Biometrics Appointment Completed

 

The first question is, this is my current timeline, I was wondering what the next steps would be after the Biometrics exams. I am not positive of what to expect next and would like to be prepared? How should I be prepared for these next steps? So please let me know! Thank you!

Also, I was wondering how long is the wait for the combo card for EAD/Travel Visa? Does it come sooner than the other items I applied for? How long will the combo card last before needing to be renewed again also?

 

Another thing I would like to ask is, I am the unemployed wife and the American citizen, I am currently on the hunt for a job and was wondering if there was a time I should get one before it is too late? I filled out the paperwork so that my husband's (the beneficiary) is the person who is supporting us for now and informed them that I was in the process of finding work. He makes above the amount of money needed and also sent proof that he would still be able to remain at the company after everything is over. I am doing my best in the job hunt and have had a couple of call backs for a second interview, but I was wondering do I have time, or do you think this will affect our application at all since my husband is making enough?

 

 

Let me know what you guys think! I hope everyone's journey is going well!

 

 

Edited August 29, 2018 by Ycats

[PollyC 119]

8 hours ago, Ycats said:

AOS Application

 

07/31/2018 - AOS packet sent via Express mail (1-130, I-485, I-131, I-765) 
08/02/2018 - Delivered to USCIS Chicago (According to USPS)

08/09/2018 - Received Phone and Email Notice that USCIS Received the package

08/13/2018 - NOA1 Hard copies received by mail and checks were cashed

08/17/2018 - Letter with Biometrics Appointment Received (Date 8/28/2018)

08/28/2018 - Walk-in Biometrics Appointment Completed

 

The first question is, this is my current timeline, I was wondering what the next steps would be after the Biometrics exams. I am not positive of what to expect next and would like to be prepared? How should I be prepared for these next steps? So please let me know! Thank you!

Also, I was wondering how long is the wait for the combo card for EAD/Travel Visa? Does it come sooner than the other items I applied for? How long will the combo card last before needing to be renewed again also?

 

Another thing I would like to ask is, I am the unemployed wife and the American citizen, I am currently on the hunt for a job and was wondering if there was a time I should get one before it is too late? I filled out the paperwork so that my husband's (the beneficiary) is the person who is supporting us for now and informed them that I was in the process of finding work. He makes above the amount of money needed and also sent proof that he would still be able to remain at the company after everything is over. I am doing my best in the job hunt and have had a couple of call backs for a second interview, but I was wondering do I have time, or do you think this will affect our application at all since my husband is making enough?

 

 

Let me know what you guys think! I hope everyone's journey is going well!

 

 

 

did you file I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with your packet?

[Ycats 24]

On 8/29/2018 at 6:38 PM, PollyC said:

 

did you file I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with your packet?

Yes, I did.

[NancyLyz 58]

On 8/29/2018 at 7:17 AM, Ycats said:

AOS Application

 

07/31/2018 - AOS packet sent via Express mail (1-130, I-485, I-131, I-765) 
08/02/2018 - Delivered to USCIS Chicago (According to USPS)

08/09/2018 - Received Phone and Email Notice that USCIS Received the package

08/13/2018 - NOA1 Hard copies received by mail and checks were cashed

08/17/2018 - Letter with Biometrics Appointment Received (Date 8/28/2018)

08/28/2018 - Walk-in Biometrics Appointment Completed

 

The first question is, this is my current timeline, I was wondering what the next steps would be after the Biometrics exams. I am not positive of what to expect next and would like to be prepared? How should I be prepared for these next steps? So please let me know! Thank you!

Also, I was wondering how long is the wait for the combo card for EAD/Travel Visa? Does it come sooner than the other items I applied for? How long will the combo card last before needing to be renewed again also?

 

Another thing I would like to ask is, I am the unemployed wife and the American citizen, I am currently on the hunt for a job and was wondering if there was a time I should get one before it is too late? I filled out the paperwork so that my husband's (the beneficiary) is the person who is supporting us for now and informed them that I was in the process of finding work. He makes above the amount of money needed and also sent proof that he would still be able to remain at the company after everything is over. I am doing my best in the job hunt and have had a couple of call backs for a second interview, but I was wondering do I have time, or do you think this will affect our application at all since my husband is making enough?

 

 

Let me know what you guys think! I hope everyone's journey is going well!

 

 

After that, it's just waiting.

 

The combo card (EAD and AP) will come around 4-6 months from your priority date. It's valid for a year and you can renew it 180 days before it expires.

Depending on where you live, your interview may come approximately a few months up to a year and half later (generally).

You can keep collecting evidence of a bona fide marriage (financial/legal/rental documents with both names on, photos, cards from family, etc).

Keep all hard copy receipts from USCIS

 

For the income part, I'd suggest you get a job soon.

 

What visa is your husband currently on that allows him to work? H1B? O1? 

[Ycats 24]

On 9/14/2018 at 5:45 PM, NancyLyz said:

After that, it's just waiting.

 

The combo card (EAD and AP) will come around 4-6 months from your priority date. It's valid for a year and you can renew it 180 days before it expires.

Depending on where you live, your interview may come approximately a few months up to a year and half later (generally).

You can keep collecting evidence of a bona fide marriage (financial/legal/rental documents with both names on, photos, cards from family, etc).

Keep all hard copy receipts from USCIS

 

For the income part, I'd suggest you get a job soon.

 

What visa is your husband currently on that allows him to work? H1B? O1? 

My apologies for the late response. My husband is working on an F-1 Student Visa - Post Completion OPT EAD card.

I also have gotten a job since this last post and making enough according to the financing support guidelines - Should I send in another i-864 with this update or wait for an RFE? What do you recommend? 

Also, I'm not sure if you would have the answer to this final question but - my husband was offered to go on a business trip to his home country through work, his F-1 status is currently expired and he is only here on an EAD card based status, working full time. He didn't find the need to get the H1B visa because we are currently in process for the marriage visa. Is it possible for him to return if he did decide to take this opportunity to go on a business trip?

 

Thank you so much for your responses! I really appreciate it so much!

[eckoin 211]

I wouldn't send anything without an RFE.  If they don't send an RFE at all, just mention that you now have a job at the interview (when they ask if anything in your situation had changed).  

 

If your husband leaves the US before his I-131 is approved, he will have abandoned the AOS application, so there's a 99.999% chance that he will not be able to return, and you will have to restart the entire application from scratch while he's in his home country.  So, not recommended.  However, you can consider expediting the I-131 based on upcoming travel for work, and if they approve that, then he's free to come and go.

[Ycats 24]

Thank you again for the helpful information!

[NancyLyz 58]

5 hours ago, Ycats said:

My apologies for the late response. My husband is working on an F-1 Student Visa - Post Completion OPT EAD card.

I also have gotten a job since this last post and making enough according to the financing support guidelines - Should I send in another i-864 with this update or wait for an RFE? What do you recommend? 

Also, I'm not sure if you would have the answer to this final question but - my husband was offered to go on a business trip to his home country through work, his F-1 status is currently expired and he is only here on an EAD card based status, working full time. He didn't find the need to get the H1B visa because we are currently in process for the marriage visa. Is it possible for him to return if he did decide to take this opportunity to go on a business trip?

 

Thank you so much for your responses! I really appreciate it so much!

I don't know much about i-864 but whoever co-sponsored you will have to continue doing that since you've already filed. If you did not have a co-sponsor and you were not making enough, you should gather all documents and wait for an RFE. Sending additional documents before they send out an RFE may just be a waste of time.

 

People on OPT can travel abroad. However, leaving the States while AOS is pending (before AP is issued) will abandon the application, meaning that you have to resubmit everything all over again. If you're indeed in need of traveling before AP is issued, get an infopass appointment and see if he can get an emergency AP stamp on his passport. Now if it's not a trip that he must make, I'd suggest you to wait until your combo card arrives.